missed, the Council of Soviets called a general unarmed demonstration
for the 18th of June. But it was just this very day that marked the
political triumph of our party. The masses poured into the streets in
mighty columns; and, despite the fact that they were called out by the
official Soviet organization, to counteract our intended demonstration
of the 10th of June, the workingmen and soldiers had inscribed on their
banners and placards the slogans of our party: "Down with secret
treaties," "Down with political drives," "Long live a just peace!" "Down
with the ten capitalistic ministers," and "All power to the Soviets." Of
placards expressing confidence in the coalition government there were
but three one from a cossack regiment, another from the Plekhanov group,
and the third from the Petrograd organization of the Bund, composed
mostly of non-proletarian elements. This demonstration showed not only
to our enemies, but also to ourselves as well that we were much stronger
in Petrograd than was generally supposed.



THE DRIVE OF JUNE 18TH

A governmental crisis, as a result of the demonstration by these
revolutionary bodies, appeared absolutely inevitable. But the impression
produced by the demonstration was lost as soon as it was reported from
the front that the revolutionary army had advanced to attack the enemy.
On the very day that the workingmen and the Petrograd garrison demanded
the publication of the secret treaties and an open offer of peace,
Kerensky flung the revolutionary troops into battle. This was no mere
coincidence, to be sure. The projectors had everything prepared in
advance, and the time of attack was determined not by military but by
political considerations.